CLINTON TWP. — The Delaware Valley High School boys soccer team has used an unconventional tactic — deliberate or not — to win the majority of its games this season. Wednesday evening’s tilt with North Hunterdon in the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex semifinals was no exception.

The Terriers found themselves in a familiar early hole when North Hunterdon’s Lino Suriano converted a penalty kick in the fourth minute.

But they battled back, eventually knotting the game at 1 when Jacob Stoner assisted on a goal by Karl Stephen four minutes into the second half.

Eventually, the game went to penalty kicks where Delaware Valley prevailed 7-6 after Eric Norian of the Lions sailed the eighth penalty shot just over the top of the crossbar, sealing the Terriers’ 2-1 win and giving them a date with Newton in the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex final at 10 a.m. Saturday at Vernon High School. Delaware Valley will be looking for its first county tournament title in boys soccer.
“That’s our senior leadership,” Delaware Valley coach Dan Kirschenmann said of his team’s never-say-die mentality. “They don’t quit. They won’t quit.”

The Lions, who were playing without five starters, including goalie Alex Westlin, were forced even further behind the eight ball when second-string keeper Jon Scott left the game late in the first half with an apparent concussion.

Junior James Balance got his first varsity opportunity off the bench and did an adequate job.

“It’s disappointing to lose, but our kids gave everything they had,” North Hunterdon coach Jon Simpson said. “I’m proud of our boys. Penalty kicks is a tough way to decide the game, but I understand why they go to that format. Somebody has got to advance.

“I thought Del Val played a fantastic game. They’ve had a great run here for two years,” Simpson added. “It was a great soccer game, and I’m just nothing but proud of the effort my boys gave and I’m proud of (Balance) for the way he came in and played great.”

After each team failed to convert its first penalty kicks, they each hit six in a row. In round eight, Dan Weldon converted to give Delaware Valley the game-winning goal before Norian’s shot sailed just over the crossbar.

“We knew from last year not to panic,” said Weldon, “because we got down early in that game.

“We played the whole game as hard as we could. We wanted to come here and show them that we’re here to win it. We got a goal, had a few chances and had a lot of the play in their half for the majority of the game after the goal.”

On his team’s reputation for starting slow, Weldon said, “Sometimes it takes a little while to get into our rhythm, but once we do we keep the ball on the ground, pass well, connect with our forwards, and get chances, and that’s what we did. We worked all season for this. That’s what our goal was — to get here to the finals, and we’re here.”

Delaware Valley lost 6-1 to North Hunterdon in last year’s semifinals.